Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) have announced that both of their drivers Sebastien Loeb and Nani Roma have secured new experienced co-drivers for the upcoming 2021/2022 season and 2022 Dakar.
Fabian Lurquin will co-drive Loeb, the Belgian winning a stage on the Dakar in 2020. He said: “Seb and I tested in Dubai in April and we immediately built a good relationship in the car together. I am now looking forward to seeing the Prodrive Hunter for the first time in the coming weeks and sitting alongside Seb as we start our test programme and preparations for the Dakar 2022.”
Loeb added that this new partnership will give them the best possible chance of winning the Dakar in 2022, as he believes navigation will be even more vital. Lurquin replaces Loeb’s long time co-driver Daniel Elena, who he won 9 World Rally titles with. The news that Elena was to be removed from his role caused Prodrive a social media backlash, as well as a angry video from Elena himself.
Loeb said: “Navigation was so important on the Dakar this year, and when I saw the route for 2022, I realised it could play an even bigger role. I believe Fabian’s approach to the race and his experience of the terrain will give us the best possible chance of winning the event next year.”
Alex Haro will co-drive alongside Roma, rekindling a successful partnership which dates back to 2015. Haro has competed on the Dakar seven times, finishing second with Roma in 2019 and winning a stage in both 2020 and 2021.
“I am really looking forward to working with Nani again,” said Haro. “It’s been two years since we did Dakar together, but I am sure when we sit side by side in the Hunter, it will feel like we have never been apart. I was able to see how fast the Hunter was this year and how professional the Prodrive crew are behind the BRX team and their desire to become a force in Dakar and cross-country.”
Roma added: “Since the Dakar moved to Saudi Arabia and with road books only available on the morning of the stage, navigation has become much more critical. As we saw this year, it is easy to make a very small mistake and lose a lot of time, even for the most experienced teams. Alex is one of the best in the business and we get on well inside and out of the car.”
The 2022 Dakar will take place in Saudi Arabia on 2nd – 14th January 2022.
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